Health advocates push for independent health promotion body to combat NCDs 

Public health advocates of the Healthy Philippines Alliance, convened by HealthJustice Philippines, backed legislative initiatives to create a separate government body focused on health promotion to strengthen efforts to prevent noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

In a privilege speech, Pusong Pinoy Partylist Representative Jett Nisay emphasized that  it is high time to establish the National Health Promotion Board, an independent government agency with its own budget, to strengthen and build on the work of the Department of Health Health Promotion Bureau (DOH-HPB). The proposed body will enable the  implementation of more impactful preventive strategies for overall health, including mental health. 

“We fully support the proposed legislation creating a dedicated National Health Promotion Board that can concentrate on preventive care and stronger health promotion. An independent institution can be a catalyst in steering national agencies, local government units, and communities to work towards a healthier society and prevent NCDs. We must remember: NCDs continue to weigh heaviest on Filipinos—robbing them of both their savings and their years of life,” said Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan, former Health Secretary and Lead Convener of the HPA.

Galvez Tan continued, “An independent health promotion body will not only guarantee continuity in the work already accomplished by the DOH-HPB but also provide institutional stability, sustained expertise, dedicated resources, and a stronger more focused mandate for prevention of chronic illnesses and other negative health outcomes.”

Sadly, NCDs namely heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes remain to be the leading causes of death in the Philippines in 2024, latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed. 

Alyannah Lagasca, Lead Convener of the HPA Youth Network, added that “Filipino families, especially our children and the young, deserve a health system that leads with prevention, not just reaction. The establishment of a National Health Promotion Board is a crucial step toward building a future where every generation enjoys longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. It sends a clear message: public health is not an afterthought, but the cornerstone of a resilient and thriving society.

“This initiative matters because it shifts our national priorities toward wellness, not just treatment. It empowers communities with knowledge, encourages healthier lifestyles, and reduces the burden on our hospitals and healthcare workers. Every peso invested in disease prevention and health promotion is a powerful safeguard—protecting families, strengthening communities, and saving countless lives. In a country where many still face barriers to care, proactive health promotion is not just smart policy—it’s a moral imperative,” Lagasca stated. 

The HPA also strongly reiterated that health promotion is among the most cost-effective high-yield investments the government can make in preventing NCDs, reducing health care costs, and improving quality of life.

In fact, a 2019 report from the WHO-UNDP estimated that NCDs cost the Philippine economy P756 billion in losses annually, equivalent to 4.8% of the country’s GDP. But an investment for NCD prevention at P28.9 billion in a span of 15 years can generate up to P377.7 billion in returns and save 350,000 lives. 

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